Body-Positive Barbies Now Available in the UK

After decades of creating the "perfect" Barbie stereotype, Mattel's taking encouraging steps to promote positive self images in young fans.

I love what Mattel have done with the new Barbie Fashionista range. If you've not seen it yet it is worth looking at.

In 2016, Mattel launched the new range which features four body types (including its "original" version), seven skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles. The three new body types include tall, petite and curvy. I think this is such a positive move because of how body conscious today's society can be. This range at least gives a nod of acknowledgement that we all come in different shapes and sizes with a lovely range of skin tones.

I for one, will be looking at buying less sweets this Easter, (they get enough from family and Easter events as it is), and spending my money on a little something they can treasure. So one of these dolls is definitely near the top of my list for my 6 year old daughter who is already trying to style herself into a hugely unproportional Equestria Girl from My Little Pony.

Unfortunately, like most of us we don't come from a gene pool of supermodels. We're short and shapely with big smiles and kind souls.

After many years of creating a stereotype with the "perfect" Barbie, I think Mattel are doing an amazing job with their ranges to lift little girls up in the images they have of themselves. I'm not just referring to this new range, but Chemo Barbie too who is bald but still beautiful. I do hope that we see some new friends for Ken though along the same lines.

It's no secret, I love these dolls. I grew up with Barbie hoping to one day be tall and beautiful like her. At 5-foot-nothing, that didn't work out so well. At least with our children they can aim to be as lovely as their heroes but accept that the shapes and colours we come in are perfect as they are!

What are your thoughts on this range? Do you think other toy manufacturers should follow suite? Will you be buying one for your little one?